Murray River Australia; Tocumwal paddle steamers & history?.

[nbrettoner]

Hello,

After 20 years in NZ, as of last January 16th 2008 I am finally back 'home' in good old Oz!.   

   For the past five years I have been doing consistent research on the old branch line between Tocumwal & Narrandera NSW. A friend (in Bega NSW; I'm in Coffs Harbour now) & I for the past four years have been beavering away on a project to re-create the above line, as a 'virtual world' that runs on the "Trainz" program.
   Having both travelled on the line in the past, we have a common interest in the prevention of the extinction of yet another part of our Australian heritage. We are striving to present the very 'essence' of the line, the communities & regions it established served & was an intrinsic part of.
   During WWII the largest Southern Hemisphere airbase "McIntyre Field" was built at Tocumwal, so our project includes all of this massive endeavour too.

   I am interested in discovering anything to do with the river trade of the past, around Tocumwal:-
eg   Which paddle-steamers plied to/from Tocumwal & their details.
Where I can get river charts of this upper river section, & any history of the region, from a 'river' perspective.

   I would be delighted to learn anything from members of the above, & look forward to making your acquaintance.   

Yours sincerely,

Noel B.

[nbrettoner]

Thanks Eddy,

 

My apologies for putting this post in the wrong place.

Noel B.

[Eddy Matthews]

Not a problem Noel, don't worry about it...

Regards
Eddy

[Roderick Smith]

Start wandering through the lengthy APAM threads.
I have various posts there, culled from various earlier sources.
Echuca - Albury traffic was important from 1864 to about 1873 (when the railway reached Wodonga).
The original Cumberoona was one vessel in the reach.
Navigation upriver of Barmah was hampered by the narrows, and trade was taken over by railways.
Go to the group's search function and use key words Tocumwal, Cumberoona.
Yarrawonga Weir (Lake Mulwala) killed the river trade in the upper reach: built without a lock.
The bridge at Tocumwal has been raised only rarely since (one such was for its centenary, but that was the first time in about 40 years).
The bridge at Cobram/Barooga was fixed, never to rise again.
The height of the concrete bridge at Tocumwal is such that there would be a very strange combination which would have a boat coming through which could clear the road bridge, but need the rail one lifted.
Tocumwal airport is home to a rare amphibious aeroplane: IIRC a Grumman Goose or a Grumman Widgeon.  It does host a lot of gliding events.
The NSW RTA website has an excellent historical section, with a lot of bridge histories.  IIRC both Tocumwal ones are described.
I have cruised downstream and upstream from Tocumwal this year, following the boat Spirit II.  Both reaches were very snagged.  PS Billy Tea was launched at Yarrawonga in 2003, and steamed to Tooleybuc.
PV Julie Fay is moored upstream of Cobram.


When you have waded through APAM, you may have some new specific questions.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[nbrettoner]

Hello Roderick, or do you prefer 'Rod'?     

Many thanks for your kind advice & comments.
Previously through heritage listings I had found info on the 'new' Tocumwal road bridge,
& also recently more info on the old rail lift bridge, the historic value of which, is very high.

After the weekend (busy with family visiting etc) I'll start trawling.   

In a previous post I mentioned my privilege in 1987 of an overnight cruise on the PS Emmy Lou,
when visiting friends in Deniliquin after my absence of many years. That cruise was an unforgettable experience, & have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone.
Hamish was 'engineering' that time.

Season's Greetings to you, & I look forward to making your acquaintance more, over the next few weeks.

kind regards,

Noel B.